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Stephen’s XI with “hood” deployed!

Tel’s Tales Silverstone Stowe Circuit 3rdJune 2018 After around a 6 or 7 years break we eventually managed to get invited to attend this meeting although it turned out to be a single lap and not the 2 lapper I remember from the past. We had quite a good turnout of 11 Westfields even though it was on the same weekend as Pembrey (2 events in the south on the same weekend!). The forecast for Sunday was good but as I loaded up the car and set off it was raining hard in York. The first bad news I had was that Mark Anson’s engine had failed in first practice at Pembrey so he was not a happy bunny particularly after his long haul from Blackpool. That track does seem to eat engines for some reason. We could only arrive after 1600hrs to get a decent paddock position but what a shock Steve and I got as it was in the worst condition I have ever seen. Basically it was a gravel covered dirt area with no chance for cars on slicks (one actually punctured on the gravel and you can’t repair slicks) There was dust everywhere and even a sweeping brush had no effect. Steve, Margaret, Simon Waterfall and I walked the “new track” and it looked very tight in places through the chicane in the straight which was about 40m wide so it was anyone’s guess as to where the best line was and there was even gravel patches on that too. On getting back we noticed that the main toilet block was being locked for the night and were told of an alternative hut where there were only men’s toilets so that went down well for the people camping with girlfriend’s , wives and kids. The place reminded me of a rundown building site. We met up with Lee Collar who is now driving Mark Anson’s old orange blade car and it was good to see Richard Houlgate, Matthew Haynes out again. The sunny evening and a few beers with my chilli diner made the world look a bit nicer but sleeping was hard as there were 2 generators running all night. Sunday was a hot, hot day. The contrast between surviving the Siberian cold and wet of Croft compared to today’s Saharan desert sun was crazy but just as difficult as we suffered in our hot babygrows and helmets whilst in long queues towards the start line. Some of us signed on and were scrutineered on Saturday night but Howard Gaskin was panicking a bit as he had left his competition licence at home. I was lucky enough to have Steve’s wife Margaret acting my pit buddy and carrying tyres as well as doing a great job cleaning them between runs. The first clean after P1 produced two tack nails that she found stuck in my tyre. We were promised 2 practice and 3 timed runs but an hours delay at the start plus problems with the heat affecting the timing gear meant we only got 2 timed runs. Whilst waiting in line for the start some of us were politely told not to lean on the pit wall which was odd as the event had not even started. It was obvious from early incident of cars hitting the tyres forming the chicane that this was a tricky area that could cause bug damage if you got it wrong. I missed the tyres by a whisker on my first run and I think that Richard Houlgate and Matthew Haynes had to go for a gap between the tyres as they lost their way through the chicane. The timing was also frustrating the drivers as often there was only one car on the track which slowed proceedings down so we did not finish P1 until 1115hrs approx. After P1 there were 10 Westfields in the top 12. Just to add to the fun the Gents toilets became blocked and the café ran out of food. Most of us found that by P2 we were beginning to get an idea of where the track went and starting to get some grip through the tricky bends. T1 started at around 1400hrs by which time the heat was becoming intense and god knows how many cans of diet coke I drank. T2 was the final run except for me as my engine refused to start as I headed to the start. Despite the help of Steve Carpenter, Roz Kennett, Steve Everall and Howard Gaskin we could not get it sorted. The other guys put in some great times in a field of 110 cars and there were some very close battles going on for class on the day awards as well as our own classes. In the end there were 6 Westfields in the top 12 cars and Simon Waterfall, Matthew Haynes, Howard Gaskin and myself won our classes on the day. I had a personal with Lee Collar and I just beat him by half a second (he looks a good bet for future honours as does Simon Waterfall). Overall Positions on the day were as follows: 3rdTerry Everall 4thLee Collar 6thHoward Garkin 8thMatthew Haynes 9thKeith Adams 12thSteve Everall I was quite jealous of the trophies awarded as they were huge and well received by our guys. In summary it was a good challenging track to drive but the weekend did not run smoothly. Terry Everall Class G competitor

Only on the drive, but 'getting there'

Top end of Bala lake early(ish) this morning. Lake was like a sheet of glass.

Out for a Sunday evening drive

Are incomplete photos allowed? The day after first engine start

Start small and build up.

Recent 'school day' at Gurston down. Photographer was Rob Webb who took some great pics. Mart.

Yep, due to an engine start , it works for me , so have a like

Awaiting being taken for a new exhaust to be made. Don't steal my painted bubble wrap roof idea...

A very soggy Spa...

Just having a Mcflurry top of pendle hill

Well my first every visit to anything about two wheels but what a place. I've met the riders who all seem friendly it well worth a visit. Oh and I saw a yellow Westy with Black rear wings in Douglas.

Subject to the weather! This month once again, we will meet up at the Golden Pheasant, as before, on Thursday, 7.30pm, but if the weather is OK, we will head off at approximately 8pm for a bit of a run. We’ll finish at the Swettenham Arms, so if you can’t make it to the GP by 8pm, you could always meet up with us at Swettenham, a little after say, 9.30pm. If the weather is poor, we’ll just stay at the Pheasant.

Thought i would document my sprint attendance and maybe entice some other fresh faces to the Paddock it really is a blast Well what a feeling. First trophy. Home from a very successful outing at Silverstone today with 6 in my class of what looked to be some fast caterham's, the only goal I had set myself for the day was a 60 second run. Starting the day with a P1 time 61.8 felt good and new once I had found my way round a very confusing course (everyone else agreed) it was possible. Second practice was slightly improved with a 60.3. After lunch and our first timed runs it had got really hot and thought like with blyton 2 weeks ago we would probably go slower, In T1 I managed a 59.45 close at the time to some of to 2.0L boys and 2 seconds faster than my closest class rival. T2 I tried a different approach to the last complex and It didn't work out going a tenth slower with a 59.59. Over all a great day and my first class win with a pot. Still work to be done on myself and the car but getting more and more comfortable with it on every outing. Well done to all the other winners Howard Gaskin Mathew Haynes and Terry Everall Cheers

Hi everyone After a 6 month hunt for the one, I have found it. What a machine very well balanced from what I have dare push it too, still taking time to learn the car. credit to the guy who built it and spent a lot of blood,sweat,tears and love over the last 6 years, hats of to you Gary (kuga Westfield).

Clan Members, next planed run is For Sunday 10th June , First meet will be for 10 in the morning at the shell garage lizzy brice roundabout in Livingston ,then head of to abington services for 11/11.30 . We shall then hit the lead hills for a bit of fun. I am trying to arrange discount for a trip down the mine but there being funny about it , will keep you posted . Lunch is booked for 1.30 at the Mill Inn ,Coultar nice place and a good car park . Then home via bigger /forth . Need clan Members names asap so I can let them know how many there will be for lunch . Please note the pub will not allow swords, axes , daggers or chibs so clan leave weapons at home that day . Thanks Bobski

Hi Justin. Not done any write ups yet as just been too tired. They are to follow. We have been to so many places this year but the history on Orkney is amazing. I was able to source the phone number for the owner of a deserted island called Stroma. The houses have just been left to rot and we hope to have a visit on a future trip.

Until you realise they all come in the same sodding Makita blue cases and you have to spend the day opening every one to find the 'right' tool and then put them all away afterwards.

Looks great Gary. Cant believe the cars are so clean. Even Geoffreys wheels look pristine !

Looks a nice place Gary. We can meet you there tomorrow morning if you want before our trip around the Cairngorms.

Sadly, no picture as it happened too fast, but the BOB Lancaster flew over us yesterday. About 500 feet by the look of it. Looked and sounded superb. Always great to see.

Still hoping it will be running in 2 weeks time !

Yes put me down as attending, no,lift required

Well done Simon. Great to me you and the other Westfield sprinters yesterday.

And a few more.

Few pictures from Orkney.

Two months later and the boxes of tired and rusty parts has returned and now looking a lot more shiny than when I last saw them

And the verdict on the new Carding Shed is? Large, surfaced car park? quality baked cakes? you know the important things in life

And some more

90% chance of making this run, me and Diane (will post here if it turns turtle). Joining at Abington, leaving at Biggar. And I've got a spare throttle cable!

Great comments

Hi Chris these are some of the routes we've been using over the last ten years. From Painscastle go up the A470 to Rhayader, B4518 to Elan Valley up to Devil's Bridge, there a nice cafe at the Rheidol Railway Station. Then go South on the B4343 through Tregaron then turn left onto the A482 to Pumsaint, then follow signs for Dolaucothi Gold Mines but keep going up to Llyn Brianne then left through Abergwesyn to Beulah back to Painscastle. You will do all that in one day. Painscastle to Hay-on-Wye then over the Black Mountain to Llanthony turn right at Stanton to Crickhowll then the B4558 through Llangynidr to Brecon. you could make a detour to Talybont Reservoir there a nice cafe there. From Brecon head up the B4520 then left onto the B4519 which will take you into the Military Training Ground at Mynydd Eppynt. You could then head to Beulah and go round Llyn Brianne the opposite way round, it is well worth do both ways, but keep left for Cynghordy Viaduct These two routes have some of the best open roads and scenic road that we have used over the last few years. Two photos of Elan Valley Jeff Jeff

whats your budget is the first thing you really need to decide. and once you get into the realms of vr your talking high end graphics cards and big budgets. my last gaming pc was well over 3grand but the majority of cost was 2 graphics cars at 900 quid each

I'm off on Friday 15th,so hopefully myself and @CraigHew will sort something out

All good info, anyone coming out to play?

You can quickly go off people

She's got no choice to argue or she has a long walk home

Nice to see it still in the club and a bit of patience does pay off, as its a fab bit of kit.

Well done on the sale Gary . Great looking car.

Ian, Andy & Josh at De Havilland Museum today

Great news your loss is my gain I’ve been looking for someone to blat about with and Simon is only 10 mins away . im sure I’ll be able to keep up untill he gets used to it .

It's ok Dave. The scenery is here all year round. The «issues» only happen once a year when a certain person from Englandshire comes to visit us and causes mild havoc and lots of fun in his yellow machine, together with whoever wishes to join him (I suppose that includes me!). We have the remainder of the year to recover! So it's safe to move up to the Highlands (at least for 50 weeks of the year).

Waterlogged!

Sorry about the rain - looks like you had fun. Matt and I were still planning on going to GBS coffee morning but it was raining here at 8am so bailed. Matt got half way there and got drenched by a downpour so he turned round and went home. Shame as weather been good up until Saturday! Still there is another day

All good fun, no idea where we went, but I hope for some better weather when we next meet up!

So Julie did order the rain just like last time!